The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-22
TERRIBLE INCIDENT OF THE WAR
The Daughter of Governor Pickens Killed b
Shell During the Marriage Ceremony.
tlanta Constitution

The Daughter of Governor Pickens Killed by
Shell During the Marriage Ceremony.
tlanta Constitution.
During the tumut and excitement Of the late
war one of the saddest incidents that occurred
was the marriage and death of Annie, eldest
daughter of Governor Pickens, of South Caro-
lima. In the midst of the great events of the
war such tragedies were comparatively unnoticed,
but now that time has Gained the troubled sea
of strife and contention a picture of that scene
will be or general interest, and will awaken q
cord OF sympathy in the hearts OF all who read it.
On April %. 1868, in Charleston, S. c., at the
residence of Governor Pickens. party was as
sembled to witness the marriage ceremony of
Annie Pickens to Lieutenant LeRoche,le.
1t was time when terror and anguish was
prevailing throughout the entire South. and the
booming OF the Union guns then roared in the
harbors. but the little mum Der who had collected
together had determined to smile even though
their hearts were aching and they we're trem
bling with terror Beneath the soft light of the
chandelier the clergyman stood with the habili-
ments OF the church enshrouding his venerable
form. Before him was the noble young leuten
ant in his official uniform. while beside him
leaned the beautiful and stately woman vino
was to become his wife. There she Stood
regal and proud, possessing everything that
eesa evs Of birth a1k es and T .shs
the minister, unclasping his book YES" said
LIE Rochelle. taking the hand of his bride.
Scarcely was the answer uttered than there was
an aSIul Crash. "A smell from the enemyS guns
had penetrated the mansion bursting in the
midst of the marriage scene, and scattering its
deadly missiles around men trem bled and wom-
en- screamed mirrors were shivered and for a
N oment the walls seemed to rock to and fro. In
few moments quiet reigned. and it ascer-
| tanned that the only fatal wound received was in
the left temple of the waiting BRIDE who ay like
a beautiful crushed flower in the arms of her
agonized lover Laying her on lounge he bent
over her, and in a moan of despair. prayed that
even in death she would become his wife. Her
quick-drawn BREATH melted in sigh, as the
lips smiled assent There she lay pure and
white as the cluster of camellias at her breast.
while the crimson life tide oozed in heavy drops
from the death wound in her brow and coursed
its stream over the lovely cheek, marring the
snowy clouds of her bridal veil that enveoped
her. The ceremony was of few words, and the
ives" WAS murmuted in a dying whisper beneath
the husbands kiss. In moment all was over,
little struggle and she dead.
Beneath the cool deep shadows of the magno-
| liza Annie Pickens lie Rochelle was laid to rest.
where the sad wall of the waters sighed an e.er-
! nal requium. while the brave young soldier
went his way, in the fire and danger OF bal tie to
| serve his country and his God. He little feared
| the sword or the bullet of war, for ever at his
| heart there a wound more cruel than death
| and lasting as life.